Compliance Director, Maritime Group,… at Emerald Zebra · Limassol

Emerald Zebra on behalf of our client, an international maritime group, is looking to hire a Compliance Director to be based in Limassol, Cyprus. Reporting to the CEO and Owner, you will lead the Group compliance, quality, health and safety, security and risk management function.

The role

The Compliance Director will lead, develop, implement and maintain the Group integrated compliance, quality, health and safety, security and risk management systems. The role combines strategic leadership with operational management of the compliance framework, ensuring the business meets legal, regulatory, contractual and international certification requirements while supporting safe, efficient and commercially successful operations.

As the Group senior compliance professional, you will oversee the Integrated Management System (IMS), including ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 18788 Security Operations Management and ISO 28007 Private Maritime Security Certification, and drive continual improvement across the organisation.

Compliance and management system leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the IMS
• Develop policies, procedures and operational standards, and manage document control
• Keep management systems effective, current and audit ready
• Monitor compliance with company procedures and international standards

Audit and certification management

• Plan and lead internal and external audit programmes, including annual audit schedules and internal audits across all departments
• Prepare audit reports, and manage non conformances and corrective actions
• Support certification, surveillance and recertification audits, acting as primary liaison with certification bodies and external auditors

Compliance and risk management

• Maintain legal and regulatory compliance registers and corporate risk registers
• Review operational and strategic risks and advise management on compliance and regulatory matters
• Support business continuity and resilience planning

Health, safety and operational assurance

• Maintain risk assessments and hazard registers and support operational safety planning
• Monitor incident and near miss reporting, and lead incident investigations
• Analyse safety performance and promote a proactive safety culture

Security management systems

• Own the security compliance framework under ISO 18788 and ISO 28007
• Oversee security risk assessments, security management procedures and client security assurance requirements

Client, regulatory and certification relationships

• Support client due diligence, compliance assessments, client audits and prequalification processes
• Respond to regulatory and client compliance enquiries and support business development with compliance documentation

Operational support, reporting and leadership

• Advise operational teams, review risk assessments and method statements, and support project mobilisation
• Report to Executive Management on management system performance, audit outcomes, corrective actions, incident statistics, compliance KPIs and risk
• Coach managers on compliance responsibilities and support future growth of the QHSE function, including recruitment

What you bring

• Maritime industry experience, which is required for this role
• Based in Cyprus
• Extensive experience managing integrated management systems
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 45001
• Knowledge of ISO 18788 and/or ISO 28007, or the ability to build expertise quickly
• Experience leading internal and external audits
• Strong understanding of risk management and corporate compliance, with excellent report writing and analytical skills
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders

Desirable

• Background in shipping, offshore, marine services, private maritime security, oil and gas, or emergency response and crisis management
• Degree in Business, Maritime, Risk Management, Health and Safety or a related discipline
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor and ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
• ISO 18788 and/or ISO 28007 training or certification

The salary range starts at EUR 80,000 per annum, depending on the candidate's experience. The salary is negotiable for candidates with particularly strong and relevant experience.

To apply, send your CV via this advert. All applications are handled in confidence.

Donna Stephenson, Founder and Principal Recruiter, Emerald Zebra, specialist recruitment and executive search.